The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-12-22
SUGGESTED PROBABILITIES.

On the o. r. & \. dock is a large
amount OF freight of all descriptions
awaiting shipment to different places
across the river, and quite lot also
for points in Tillamook county. Pro-
visions and merchandise form the
principal portion Of these goods.
There is some mill machinery for
Messrs. Smith, of Riverside, w. T.,
an addition to the constantly increas-
ing facilities for lumber manufacture.
But what is most gratifying to observe
as an indication OF permanent pros
perity being established, is the guam
tity of young fruit trees which is there
for shipment to different parts OF
Washington territory and to Tillamook
county. These fruit trees, which are
to be planted on the little space OF
ground which hard and faithful labor
has reclaimed from the forest, in most
cases, are the pioneers of an industry
which shall yet become one Of the
most important with us. No doubt
most of those who will plant these
young trees will do so that they may
have fruit for their own use But the
planting of orchards and cultivation
of the various fruits for which this
section is eminently adapted will fol,
low close on the destruction OF the
forests which now restrict the opera
tions of the farmer and fruit grower.
The connection of the railroads OF
this state with the immense line OF
the Southern Pacific will pour a pop
ulation into this state that Will occu-
Ply its vacant lands and bring its val
leyS and hillsides into a state OF thor
Ough cultivation. Large ranches now
devoted to grain will be planted in
fruit, the land Will be doubled in value
and the products of the state Will be
increased to a degree that would be
difficult to estimate, within the next
few years.
With this development will come an
opportunity for Astoria, and one di-
rectly in her line. Fruit will be raised
not in little patches TO be measured
by the square rod, but in orchards
hundreds of acres in extent. Then
will be the time for our canneries to
be fitted with appliances for canning
and preserving fruits and many other
OF the products that can be
brought down the Columbia riv-
er to our. wharves. In no other
part of the country can canning
of 2 varions products be done so
cheaply as at Astoria. There are
the complete plants for canning fish,
which machinery would be mostly
available for canning OF fruit as well.
As business is now the whole plant is
idle for nearly nine months in the
year. A large force of labor is re-
quired. for short period. 4 large
transient population is precipitated
upon the city only TO be as suddenly
withdrawn, taking with it thousands
of dollars in coin that would remain
here if the canning industry were
prosecuted during the greater part of
the year. With the steady employ:
ment that such an arrangement would
afford, the most of the labor required
IN the canning industry would soon
be supplied by permanent residents
who would give our merchants relia-
bic and steady trade, and by their in
vestments in homes here. enhance the
value of real estate. OF course, under
the circumstances such state of
things has not been possible, but it is
coming.
The pressure Of the immense popu-
lation which will soon i'll the fer
tile valleys of our state and sister
territory, will demand and secure free
and unrestricted transport for their
products down the natural channels
20 the natural seaport of this north
west coast; the seaport that has been
demonstrated to be the safest at all
seasons of the year. Our natural ad
vantages of location, together with
the artificial means already possessed
would enable cannery at Astoria TO
compete successfully with any enter
prise that could be established at any
tributary inland point.
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Three FavOri:es